On that fateful day, the child’s mother, Maureen Brand, stepped out of the house to sell clothes and buy diapers for the baby. She left her newborn daughter in the care of her father, Hugo Ferreira, unaware of the nightmare that was about to unfold.
When Maureen returned home, she found her baby severely injured. Panicked and devastated, she rushed her to the hospital, but despite all efforts, the infant succumbed to severe head injuries the very next day.
What Did the Father Say?
During the court hearing, Ferreira made a shocking confession. He admitted that he attacked his daughter out of frustration because Maureen had left the baby with him, saying she would return in five minutes but did not come back quickly.
The baby, hungry and in need of a diaper change, started crying. This enraged Ferreira, and he lost control. He later told the court:
“I wanted to give her a reason to cry. I grabbed her neck from behind and repeatedly hit her on her buttocks. In my rage, I slammed her head onto the ground where I was working. I know this was a cruel and horrifying act, especially against such a tiny baby. I did it intentionally, and I take full responsibility.”
Drug Influence and More Threats
Ferreira also claimed that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crime but admitted that he was not so impaired that he didn’t know what he was doing.
According to News24, he has also threatened to kill his ex-wife if he is not sent to jail.
What Happens Next?
The court is set to deliver his sentence next week, and people are expecting the harshest punishment for his monstrous crime. The case has sparked outrage, with many demanding justice for the innocent baby who lost her life at the hands of her own father